Sending Out a Warning

Background and Commentary

The piece is the ultimate insider take on marriage. By the time two people have lived together for decades, they know each other’s pressure points and exactly how to go for the jugular when they need to. “Tender is the nerve that leads straight to his heart.” At what point, though, does the couple stop bouncing back? One person might think they’re just having another argument, but the other person might feel that this is the final straw. “He’s on the edge, everything is up or down / She’s in his face, he feels like he may drown.” Thus, the line “sending out a warning” is one person saying that this isn’t business as usual; if you keep at me, I’m calling it quits.—Rob Freedman, Rush Vault

“‘Sending Out a Warning’ has a strong 5/4 guitar riff that feels almost as if it could have fitted in Joe’s Garage or one of Zappa’s early ’80s albums. It’s one of the stronger tracks on the album.”—Cygnus X-2 on Prog Archives

The piece “is one I like a lot. Drums and bass stand out.”—Mellotron Storm on Prog Archives

Lyrics

Tender is the nerve that leads straight to his heart
Sender sends the spit that streams down his face
Want and need are just two useless words
The third, if she knew it, would be grace

Her grip is tight as a vice—smothers like a killer, stealing someone’s life
His guilt controls his every move—nothing seems to work, what’s he got to prove
Their war was just like any war—all the pain for nothing, double bladed sword

Sending out a warning
Sending out a warning

He’s on the edge, everything is up or down
She’s in his face, he feels like he may drown
Relentless is the scope of her revenge
She’ll give then take then push him off the ledge

His guilt is tight as a vice—smothers like a killer, stealing someone’s life
Her grip controls his every move—nothing seems to work, what’s he got to prove
Their war was just like any war—all the pain for nothing, double- bladed sword

Sending out a warning
Sending out a warning

He’s on the edge, everything is up or down
She’s in his face, he feels like he may drown
Relentless is the scope of her revenge
She’ll give then take then push him off the ledge

She’s gone too far, he knows her subtle tricks
He’s tried too hard, there are some things you can’t fix
Cross too many lines, be prepared to pay the price
All the warmth you knew will forever turn to ice

Sending out a warning
Sending out a warning

Tablature

The 1st chorus’ guitar uses super evil distortion and tone. The 2nd chorus’ guitar has a drier distortion. The verses seem to have a very thick chorus effect. In certain parts of the song Alex layers guitars and plays some wierd bends in the background. That stuff isn’t tabbed here.